Apple is set to hold its next major iPhone event on September 9, where the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to take centre stage alongside the company’s first foldable iPhone. Here are the major upgrades reportedly coming to Apple’s next Pro models.
Apple has confirmed that its annual iPhone event will take place on September 9, 2026, beginning at 10am Pacific Time, or 10:30pm IST. The company has not officially confirmed the products it will unveil. However, reports indicate that the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are likely to be among the headline launches.
Apple is also expected to introduce its first foldable iPhone, reportedly referred to as the iPhone Ultra in leaks.
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The standard iPhone 18, iPhone 18e and a second-generation iPhone Air are reportedly being held for a later launch, potentially in spring 2027.
Smaller Dynamic Island
The iPhone 18 Pro models are expected to retain display sizes of around 6.3 inches and 6.9 inches for the Pro and Pro Max respectively.
One of the most noticeable design changes could be a smaller Dynamic Island.
Reports suggest Apple may move some Face ID components beneath the display. However, there is no clear consensus that Apple will completely eliminate the Dynamic Island this year.
The more cautious expectation is therefore a smaller Dynamic Island rather than its complete disappearance.
Major camera upgrades
The camera system could be one of the biggest areas of improvement.
The iPhone 18 Pro models are expected to retain a triple-camera setup featuring 48-megapixel main, ultra-wide and telephoto sensors, according to current reports.
The 18-megapixel front camera introduced with the iPhone 17 Pro is also expected to continue.
Another reported upgrade is a variable-aperture main camera, which would give users greater control over light entering the lens and potentially improve control over depth of field.
Some reports suggest the feature could be exclusive to the iPhone 18 Pro Max.
The Pro Max could also reportedly offer 6x optical zoom, while the smaller Pro model may retain 5x optical zoom.
Apple is also expected to refine the Camera Control button.
A20 Pro chip
The iPhone 18 Pro series is expected to feature Apple’s next-generation A20 Pro chip.
The chip is reportedly set to use TSMC’s 2nm manufacturing process, which could improve performance and power efficiency compared with previous generations.
Reports have also pointed towards changes in chip and memory packaging, potentially allowing Apple to make better use of the limited internal space.
More RAM is also expected, although the exact memory configuration remains uncertain.
Bigger batteries
Battery life could receive another boost with the new Pro models.
Some reports have suggested that the iPhone 18 Pro Max could feature a battery exceeding 5,500mAh, although Apple has not confirmed the figure.
The reported increase would potentially help offset the power demands of the new processor and other hardware upgrades.
New iPhone 18 Pro colours
Colour options could also change significantly this year.
Recent reports have suggested a Dark Cherry or Burgundy finish, alongside Sky Blue and Black.
Some earlier reports had pointed towards Silver, but a newer leak claims Silver may not make the final lineup.
If the latest leak is accurate, the iPhone 18 Pro could feature a substantially different colour selection from the iPhone 17 Pro.
Sky Blue may also provide a lighter alternative to Silver, as the shade is expected to appear relatively subtle under normal lighting.
Could iPhone 18 Pro cost more?
The new hardware could also result in higher prices.
Reports have suggested that the cost of components, particularly the new 2nm processor and memory, could put upward pressure on the price of the Pro models.
However, Apple has not announced pricing, so any increase remains speculative until the September 9 event.
What about the standard iPhone 18?
Apple is reportedly considering a split launch strategy for the iPhone 18 family.
The premium iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max could launch in September, while the standard iPhone 18, iPhone 18e and next-generation iPhone Air could arrive later.
This would mark a departure from Apple's more traditional approach of launching several iPhone models together.
Analysis
The reported iPhone 18 Pro upgrades point towards Apple focusing on camera capability, processing efficiency, battery life and display design rather than introducing a completely different overall form factor.
The smaller Dynamic Island could represent another step towards reducing the visible hardware around the front-facing camera and Face ID system. Meanwhile, a variable-aperture camera could give Apple a stronger photography feature to differentiate its premium models.
The reported two-stage launch could also change how Apple positions its iPhone range. By introducing the Pro models and potentially the foldable iPhone first, Apple could place greater emphasis on its highest-end devices during its September event.
However, most of the specifications, colours, battery capacities and pricing details currently circulating come from leaks and supply-chain reports. The final specifications will only be confirmed by Apple at the September 9 event.
Published: 01 Sept 2026, 07:44 pm IST
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